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🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

ASEAN's External Partnerships Key to Regional Resilience: Balakrishnan

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • ASEAN's external partnerships are crucial for regional resilience, prosperity, and stability, according to Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
  • Discussions at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting focused on digital economy, green transition, and supply chain resilience.
  • High-level meetings included a significant discussion between the US and Chinese foreign ministers amid growing Indo-Pacific strategic competition.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted the vital role of ASEAN's global partnerships in bolstering regional resilience, prosperity, and stability. Speaking on July 22 after post-ministerial conferences in Manila, he emphasized that these collaborations advance shared interests and contribute to peace. Discussions with ASEAN's dialogue partners centered on key issues such as the digital economy, the green transition, supply chain resilience, and people-to-people connectivity. Balakrishnan also co-chaired the ASEAN-Japan Post-Ministerial Conference, reaffirming a commitment to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two entities through practical cooperation.

They have helped to advance our shared prosperity, strengthen our resilience, and contribute to peace and stability in our region and beyond.

— Vivian BalakrishnanDescribing the benefits of ASEAN's external partnerships.

The meetings occurred against a backdrop of increasing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN foreign ministers engaging counterparts from major global powers. A notable engagement was a 90-minute meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both sides agreed to maintain stable ties ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Washington in September. Rubio described the talks as focused on identifying areas for cooperation to prepare for a successful summit, acknowledging significant differences on issues like Taiwan and trade.

It would frankly be reckless and irresponsible for the US and China not to have a relationship, given the impact our countries have on the global economy and on the world.

— Marco RubioCommenting on the importance of U.S.-China relations.

Rubio stated that it would be "reckless and irresponsible" for the U.S. and China not to maintain a relationship, given their global economic impact. He mentioned efforts to implement new bilateral mechanisms on trade and investment, agreed upon during a previous visit by President Donald Trump to Beijing. While Taiwan and trade were discussed, accusations of Chinese election interference were not raised. Rubio also commented on escalating tensions in the South China Sea, calling a recent clash between China and the Philippines over the Second Thomas Shoal "very negative." He downplayed China's role in U.S.-Iran hostilities, noting Beijing's cooperation in some areas, particularly its public opposition to restricting global shipping through international waterways. An official Chinese readout described the meeting as "pragmatic, positive, and constructive," while Wang urged the U.S. to manage bilateral differences and address China's legitimate concerns.

pragmatic, positive, and constructive

— Official Chinese readoutDescribing the meeting between the U.S. and Chinese foreign ministers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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